9 killed, 10 wounded in South African pub shooting
JOHANNESBURG (AP) — Authorities report that nine people have died and at least 10 others are injured after a shooting at a South African pub. The incident occurred early Sunday in Bekkersdal, west of Johannesburg. Police say about 12 suspects in a white minibus and a silver sedan opened fire at the KwaNoxolo tavern and continued shooting as they fled. A manhunt for the suspects is underway. This is the second mass shooting in South Africa in three weeks. Earlier this month, a shooting at an unlicensed bar near the capital left at least 12 people dead and 13 wounded.
Thousands gather at Bondi Beach to mourn victims of antisemitic attack
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Thousands of mourners have gathered at Sydney’s Bondi Beach to mark a week since two gunmen targeted a Jewish festival, killing 15 people. The attack has spurred Australian governments to act against antisemitism and tighten gun controls. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and other dignitaries attended the commemoration, which drew over 10,000 people. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized Albanese, linking calls for a Palestinian state to rising antisemitism. A national Day of Reflection was declared, with images of victims projected and moments of silence observed. Security was tight, and new hate speech and gun laws are being debated.
Israeli Cabinet approves 19 new Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank
TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israel's Cabinet has approved a proposal for 19 new settlements in the occupied West Bank. The far-right finance minister, Betzalel Smotrich, announced the decision on Sunday. The settlements include two that were previously evacuated during a 2005 disengagement plan. Smotrich, who supports settlement expansion, noted that this brings the total number of new settlements over the past two years to 69. According to Peace Now, an anti-settlement group, this approval increases the number of settlements by nearly 50% during the current government's tenure. Settlements are widely considered illegal under international law.
US forces stop oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela as Trump follows up on promise to seize tankers
WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. forces have stopped a second oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela in international waters. That action Saturday has been confirmed by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. A U.S. official, who was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the tanker stopped voluntarily and allowed U.S. forces to board it. The move comes days after President Donald Trump announced a “blockade” of all sanctioned oil tankers coming in and out of the South American country. And it follows the Dec. 10 seizure by American forces of an oil tanker off Venezuela’s coast.
At least 16 files have disappeared from the DOJ webpage for documents related to Jeffrey Epstein
NEW YORK (AP) — The Justice Department’s webpage for documents related to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein is missing at least 16 of its files a day after they were released. The files, which were no longer available Saturday after being uploaded to the site Friday, included photographs showing paintings of nude women and a credenza holding various photos of people including President Donald Trump. The discrepancies fueled online speculation about whether they were intentionally removed and why the public wasn't notified — questions the Justice Department didn't immediately answer. The missing files contributed to the long-simmering intrigue about Epstein and the powerful people who surrounded him, which wasn't quelled by the Justice Department's much-anticipated release of records Friday.
Russian strike on Odesa kills 8 as US hosts a Kremlin envoy for talks on peace plan
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — A Russian missile strike on port infrastructure in Odesa has killed eight people and wounded 27, according to Ukraine’s emergency service. The attack occurred late Friday, with ballistic missiles hitting the port and damaging vehicles. Meanwhile, a Kremlin envoy is set to travel to Florida for talks on a U.S.-proposed plan to end the nearly four-year war. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of the U.S. response after discussions with Russia. Additionally, Ukraine and Portugal have signed an agreement to jointly produce maritime drones, enhancing defense cooperation.
San Francisco outages leaves 130,000 without power
A massive outage has knocked out power to 130,000 homes and businesses in San Francisco. The outage Saturday represents roughly one-third of Pacific Gas and Electric Co's customers in the city. The power failure left a large swath of the northern part of the city in the dark, beginning with the Richmond and Presidio neighborhoods and areas around Golden Gate Park. PG&E did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the cause of the blackouts. Fire officials said at least some of the blackouts were caused by a fire that broke out inside a PG&E substation.
Trump's 'A+++++' economy collides with reality in a Pennsylvania city critical to the midterms
ALLENTOWN, Pa. (AP) — Idalia Bisbal moved from New York City to Allentown, Pennsylvania, hoping for a cheaper life. Three years later, she feels disappointed by high prices for essentials like food and gas. Vice President JD Vance recently visited the area and blamed the Biden administration for the affordability crisis. This economic anxiety affects both political parties, especially in competitive districts such as Allentown. Many residents, including business leaders, agree prices are too high. The area remains a political battleground, with Republicans and Democrats vying for control. The economy remains a key focus for voters heading into 2026 and midterm elections that will determine control of Congress.
How surveillance technology and the 'Reddit Detective Agency' helped search for a killer
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — More than a decade ago, a frenzied 5-day search for the Boston Marathon bombers left some lessons in its aftermath. One was that increasingly pervasive surveillance technology could help catch the culprits. Another was that amateur online sleuths on Reddit could not. But the intense search this week for a suspect in a Brown University shooting that killed two students and wounded nine other people turned the tables on those expectations. Only after a Reddit tipster cracked the case could police tap into mass surveillance of the suspect's car.
Sofia Goggia gets overdue World Cup win in super-G and Lindsey Vonn is third
VAL D'ISERE, France (AP) — Sofia Goggia finally got the win her skiing this season deserved in a World Cup super-G on Sunday and Lindsey Vonn was third for the second straight day at French resort Val d'Isere. The two former Olympic downhill champions were split on a high-class podium by runner-up Alice Robinson who is already a two-time winner this season on the World Cup circuit. Goggia finished 0.15 seconds ahead of Robinson. The 41-year-old Vonn then hit a high speed touching 115 kph (71 mph) but the ideal racing line was elusive and she finished 0.36 behind Goggia.
